Greenville sophomore commits to Tech two years early

DALLAS (AP) - A 16-year-old sophomore forward at Greenville High School has orally committed to play at Texas Tech even though he won't be able to play for coach Bob Knight until the fall of 2005.

Oral commitments aren't binding, and Justin Wilkerson cannot sign a national letter of intent until November 2004, during his senior season at Greenville. Wilkerson said Knight has promised a full scholarship even if he gets hurt in high school, The Dallas Morning News reported in its online edition Tuesday.

Knight first saw Wilkerson during the summer at the Great American Shoot-Out tournament in Denton.

Wilkerson averaged 16.1 points and eight rebounds as a freshman on the Greenville varsity. He also had 100 blocks and 40 three-pointers.

Greenville coach Rusty Harden said Wilkerson resembles former Tech center Andy Ellis, a player who could post up, rebound and play solid defense.

"He fits ideally in a way they play," Harden said. "But I don't know if he's through growing or not." Wilkerson wears size-17 shoes.

Wilkerson gave his oral commitment on Monday.

Knight has dealt with younger players before. At Indiana, Knight offered guard Damon Bailey a scholarship when Bailey was in the eighth grade. Bailey became an All-Big Ten and third-team All-American as a Hoosier.